France name two rookies to face Wallabies

French coach Marc Lievremont has warned Australia not to take his under-strength team lightly after naming just one survivor from last year's Rugby World Cup semi-final for Saturday's clash at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

Biarritz centre Damien Traille is the only inclusion from the starting team that lost 14-9 to England in the last four of the World Cup in October.

France have left behind the bulk of their established Test stars for the completion of their domestic championship.

Lievremont was bemused when asked at the team announcement if he thought his depleted line-up was confident of beating the full-strength Wallabies.

"What a question. Yes, I think we are going to play well on Saturday and win," Lievremont said.

"In my opinion, we have a very good balance with just two players starting (a Test) for the first time. We tried to get some experienced players to start this game."

Brive winger Alexis Palisson and Biarritz prop Benoit Lecouls will make their Test debuts in a line-up featuring charismatic lock Sebastien Chabal and to be captained by Castres Olympique lock Lionel Nallet.

Lievremont said the Wallabies would be much improved from their first outing under new coach Robbie Deans, a hard-fought 18-12 win over Ireland in Melbourne earlier this month.

"They're certainly better than what we saw against Ireland," he said.

"This Australian side has very big potential and with the quality of coaching from Robbie Deans, I am sure we are going to have a very explosive cocktail on Saturday."

France, who play two Tests in Australia, have not beaten the Wallabies at home since a 28-19 victory in Sydney in 1990.